London hotels will usually have a flyer for Covent Garden in their reception. And deservedly so. With a colourful range of street performances, it’s a real crowd pleaser. But is it much of a market these days? With its pricey boutique stalls and crowds of tourists, Covent Garden is far from its roots as a thriving flower, fruit and vegetable market.
Spitalfields is in London’s East End close to the widest range of cheap hotels in London. For hundreds of years this area has been a melting pot of peoples where East meets West in a rich mix of cultures from East End music halls to the vibrancy of Banglatown and the enduring infamy of Jack the Ripper.
The name Spitalfields comes from a shortening of the phrase ‘hospital fields’ referring to “The New Hospital of St Mary without Bishopgate” (the priory and hospital of St. Mary’s Spittel) that was founded there in 1197. Spitalfields was built on trades such as clock making, silk weaving, leather goods and a bustling fruit and vegetable market where traditional East End barrow boys hawked their wares.
Nearly twenty years of work has gone into the Spitalfields regeneration programme. Many historic streets in the area have undergone restoration, new public spaces have been created and the retailers and restaurants carefully selected to create one of London’s most vibrant areas.
The market is made up of the Spitalfields Traders Market, Old Spitalfields Market, Spitalfields Arts Market and a buzzing community of independent shops and stalls. The centrepiece and focal point of the area is Crispin Place. This building, with its magnificent cathedral-like glass canopy, houses the Traders Market where you can browse and shop no matter what the British weather throws at you.
There’s a real buzz here and a wealth of market stalls you just don’t get at Covent Garden – from jewel-encrusted vintage boots to that rare vinyl you’ve been hunting for, from art deco sofas to hand-carved toy trains… there’s something for everyone and so many things you won’t find anywhere else.
The same goes for the food on offer at the Fine Food Market. Tuck into a hearty steak & Guinness pie handmade from fresh British steak braised slowly with vegetables and a decent glug of proper Guinness. Or, for the perfect vegetarian meal, homemade falafels with all the trimmings.
And there’s always something going on… you could join in some tea dances with a quick foxtrot or even some free Tango lessons, listen to a free open air concert or maybe even get the chance to try some British specialities such as a classic G&T with a twist (infused with plum) or grab a slice of spit-roasted whole suckling pig.
Spitalfields is open all year round – come rain or shine. Market stalls are open 10am–4pm Tuesday to Friday and 9am–5pm on Sundays (the busiest day). It’s close to Liverpool Street Station, Aldgate tube station and many hotels in London. UK markets are thriving again!
